Selection of Dies, Die Material, Hardness based on type of Metal, Alloy being forged

This article is very important. After reading you shall have a fair knowledge about how to select Dies, Die Material, Hardness when forging Stainless Steel, Aluminum Alloy, Copper, Copper Alloy, Carbon, and Alloy Steel Forgings.

STAINLESS STEEL: Because of the greater force is required for s, forging so the thicker die block should be used and also we con not re-sink it many time as well as for carbon and alloy steel forgings. Die heating temperature should be maintained between 300 to 400 f ,but dies are some lime heated 600 f for special trade of s. s. mostly hot work tool steel “ used for hammers or press forging dies, grade h 12 or h13 for small forgings (up to 20 pounds ) and 6g or 6f2 for big forgings ,and die hardness required 388 to 429 BHN for hammer and press (both forging dies)

ALUMINUM ALLOY: Forging dies specially designed for Al alloy for following reasons. 1. Allowances for Shrinked are greater than for steel. 2. Temperature control of dies for forging of Al alloy is critical, so die tamp. Controlling during forging must be considered in die design .Die heating temperature is to maintain up to 375 Degree F. Hot WORK TOOL STEEL” used for hammer and press forging dies , grade 6 G or 6 F2. Die hardness for hammer forging dies 302 to 433 BHN and for press forging dies 341 to 433 BHN.

COPPER AND COPPER ALLOY: Dies designed for forging cu or cu alloy usually different or three points Draft angle max 3 degree .2. Die cavity less than for forging of steel ,0.005 in/inch. 3.Die cavity must be polished to a better surface finish for forging of forging of cu and cu alloy die heating tamp . must be maintained between 300 to 600 degree F . HOT WORK TOOL STEEL” GRADE H11 or H12 used for hammers and press forging dies and die hardness required 341 to 375 BHN for hammers and press (Both) forging dies.

CARBON AND ALLOY STEEL: Following points to be added to design in forging dies for carbon and alloy steel. 1. Draft angle should be 5 to 7 degree for hammer forging dies and max 3 degree for press forging dies. 2. Shrinkage allowance must. be 1.5%. Die cavity finish is not as much required as for cu and cu alloy forging dies .Die tamp should be 480 to 570 degree F . Mostly the die steel grade DB6 is used for carbon and alloy steel forging dies .Die hardness required 350 to 400 BHN for Hammer and press forging dies.